Machiavelli said that “Never was anything great achieved without danger”. In racing, we are driven in such constant pursuit of excellence, that we sometimes forget the inherent dangers in getting a 500kg animal across a line at 60km per hour.
When we watch a horse crossing the finish line, few of us stop to consider the vast and intricate web of hands it has taken to get it there. Jockeys and trainers are perhaps the most visible, but there is literally an army of support services driven by thousands of every day heroes that carries our industry along.
Invaluable parts of that silent army are our transport companies and their staff, who spend long hours on our roads each day, ensuring that our horses get to the stud farm, the sales, the training centre and of course the racecourse and back. It is something that we take for granted, but something without which our industry simply could not exist.
On Sunday, 20 July 2014 at 4:30am, New Turf Carriers were involved in a tragic accident on the N1 just before Laingsburg, when driver Willie Nieman swerved to avoid a kudu and ploughed into a ditch. Elias, a Malawian national and member of the New Turf transport team, was killed trying to assist the struggling horses. Sadly the lives of Casual Var, Unencumbered and Aspen were also lost in the accident. The 2 drivers, Willie and Martiens, and groom Shadrack were also left badly bruised and shaken, but were transported safely the rest of the way to Cape Town on Sunday afternoon with the 3 remaining horses, November Rain, Delaware Park and Cape Cutter.
In a statement issued on Monday, 21 July 2014, the Sham family expressed their heartfelt thanks to all who have sent messages of support, condolences and prayers. Dorrie Sham said, “It has been a difficult time for all involved, but the support we’ve received has been absolutely incredible. Thank you so much, it means an enormous amount. We all love our horses and the thought of losing them is very difficult, but losing a member of our team has been devastating. We are in the process of notifying Elias’ family and he will be returned home with the dignity befitting someone who paid the ultimate price for doing his job.”
“Michael, Matthew, Marcus, Mark and Dorrie would like to thank Dr Jaco Pienaar for his prompt assistance as well as Willie, Martiens and Shadrack who did New Turf proud under tremendous pressure. We also want to express our gratitude to Justin, Jono, Chris and Sue Snaith for their support during this time and send our sincerest condolences to Jack & Nancy Mitchell, Markus and Ingrid Jooste and Louis Kirsten on the loss of their horses. Most of all, we are saddened by the loss of human life and our thoughts are with Elias’ family and loved ones at this time.”
Snaith Racing has come out in strong support of New Turf Carriers. “We have had a long and very successful partnership with New Turf Carriers,” said Jono Snaith. “Only three weeks ago, New Turf transported both our Woolavington winner, In The Fast Lane and our July winner, Legislate back to Cape Town along exactly the same route and both travelled exceptionally well. This was simply a very tragic accident and our thoughts are with everyone concerned. Along with our owners, we are contributing to a compensation fund for Elias’ family.”
